North American Christian Convention

Former convention associated with certain churches

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The North American Christian Convention (1927–2018) was an annual summer convention supported by churches, colleges, institutions, and missions programs associated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, mainly across the United States, but also in other parts of the world. First started in 1927, it grew gradually over the years in both attendance and location. The NACC was held annually after 1927 until the end of that decade; the deprivations brought about by the Great Depression and the dislocations caused by World War II contributed to its being held only three times in the 1930s and four times in the 1940s; it was an annual event from 1950 to 2018. Ministers from churches across the United States came and spoke at the event, as well as other well-known speakers and authors of the Christian community. The NACC Mission statement was "the connecting place providing ideas, inspiration, and identity to New Testament Christian Churches and their leaders." Philosophically this organization gives all their credit to Jesus Christ.[1] It was replaced in 2019 by the spire.network conference.[2]

## Events

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### Adults

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Adults were able to participate in three main events: the main session, bible studies, and workshops. The main session was a time of praise and worship, sermons from guest speakers, testimonies, and a time to get to know other people. The bible studies allowed adults to get together with small groups and fellowship one on one. The workshops also allowed adults to choose from various classes in which to learn and grow.[3][4]

### Teens

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Teens were involved in the same events as adults but on a level where they could have fun and grow spiritually at the same time. They had a main session with worship from high energy, world-renowned bands, guest speakers, talk sessions, and entertainment from comedians and performance groups.[5]

### Children and Toddlers

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The NACC also had programs for young children. A day camp allowed children to have fun in groups with others their age. Each small group or camp unit was led by an adult leader who provided games and a learning environment. Daycare (Wee-One-Wigwam) was available for young toddlers and babies.[6]

### Bible Bowl

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First introduced to NACC at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Convention in 1965, the Bible Bowl drew teens and kids in grades 6–12 every year to compete in scripture memorization and other bible events. It also allowed teens and kids to fellowship with each other and grow through bible studies, guest speakers, and prayer groups. In 2001, Bible Bowl became independent from the NACC and started its own national program as it grew, with separate competitions and events.[7]

### Minister and Spouse

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This event focused on bringing spouses closer to each other and with God. It was a time where a husband and wife could get away to relax, laugh, smile and enjoy a few days of peace. Guest speakers and talented artists allowed for fellowship and fun while events such as hiking, golfing and shopping let husband and wife enjoy their time away.[8]

## Leadership

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The NACC Board of Stewards, Committees, and Staff members all ensured adherence to the NACC Mission and supported the NACC through prayer, attendance and commitment to personal financial support.

### Staff

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The NACC main office was in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Staff were about 7 to 10 members who acted as project managers. They included:

* Managing director – handled day-to-day operations, finalized contracts, and managed the facility plans
* Business administrator & church relations – handled the financial matters
* Special events & workshops coordinator – planned & set up the ticketed & non-ticketed meals & receptions, as well as the workshops
* Children's convention and marketing/promotions coordinator – coordinated the children's planning committee and the publicity & marketing materials
* Information Technology Coordinator
* Registration and office services coordinator – managed registration and customer service on-site, and many other things
* Executive administration and program/production manager – worked with all the leadership committees and implement the main programming.

There were a few supporting cast members outside the office, like the person who coordinated the Student Convention, and the partner that handled the registration and hotel reservation data entry.

### Board of Stewards

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The Board of Stewards consisted of ten members who are the past President, current President, President-Elect, on average 6 members and the current NACC Executive Director. The ten of them come together and have these duties to accomplish. First, they Set and review corporate policies. Second, they worked to provide review and accountability to the Executive Director and the NACC Staff. Ensure fiscal satiability, including but not limited to, setting budgets and raising funds. Approve the venue and cities for NACC events. Then lastly they focus on long-range and strategic issues.[9]

### Continuation Committee

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The Continuation Committee consisted of on average 120 members including all eligible past Presidents who represent the Christian churches and churches of Christ across the United States and Canada. They are a group who served as a support system and gave advice to the executive committee and the Board of Stewards. They served a three-year term in this position. These members are from all over the country, they came together every October before the next summer convention and met in the city that it was going to be held at. During the October planning meeting they assisted the executive committee plan for the future NACCs by providing guidance on potential speakers, workshop topics, and workshop leaders.

### Executive committee

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The Executive Committees were made up of thirteen members including the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, on average 6 members two local arrangement committee Co-Chairs, National prayer chair, and the NACC Managing Director. The main role the executive committee was to plan and put in order all the NACC programs for their appointed year.

### Presidency

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The President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer were chosen three years before their convention summer. The current President formed a Nomination Committee in the spring before the new president was elected. After the possible candidates were nominated, the committee prayerfully chose who would fill the new presidential board. The President provided leadership and approved all recommendations for the NACC event. He served as the primary NACC representative to the constituency through travel, writing and speaking engagements.[10]

## Conventions

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Year  | Dates  | Location  | President

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2018  | July 26–28  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Drew Sherman
2017  | July 27–29  | Kansas City, Missouri | Gene Appel
2016  | July 12–15  | Anaheim, California | Dave Stone
2015  | June 23–26  | Cincinnati, Ohio | Mike Baker
2014  | July 8–11  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Tim Harlow
2013  | July 9–12  | Louisville, Kentucky | Matt Proctor
2012  | July 10–13  | Orlando, Florida | Rick Rusaw
2011  | July 5–8  | Cincinnati, Ohio | Dudley Rutherford
2010  | July 6–9  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Ben Cachiaras
2009  | August 11–13  | M & S Retreat  | Stephen and Lisa Sams
June 30 – July 3  | Louisville, Kentucky | Jeff Stone
2008  | July 1–4  | Cincinnati, Ohio | Cam Huxford
2007  | August 21–23  | M & S Retreat  | Tom and Kay Moll
July 3–6  | Kansas City, Missouri | Alan Ahlgrim
2006  | June 27–30  | Louisville, Kentucky | David Faust
2005  | August 16–18  | M & S Retreat  | Howard and Marsha Brammer
July 12–14  | Jacksonville, Florida | Howard Brammer
June 28–30  | Lexington, Kentucky | Howard Brammer
May 24–26  | Corona, California | Howard Brammer
2004  | July 5–8  | Phoenix, Arizona | Dick Alexander
2003  | July 8–11  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Bob Russell
2002  | June 24–27  | Columbus, Ohio | Barry McMurtrie
2001  | June 26–29  | Tampa, Florida | Tom Ellsworth
2000  | July 11–14  | Louisville, Kentucky | Don Wilson
1999  | July 6–9  | Denver, Colorado | Wayne Shaw
1998  | June 23–26  | St. Louis, Missouri | Dennis Slaughter
1997  | July 1–4  | Kansas City, Missouri | Sam E. Stone
1996  | July 2–5  | Dallas, Texas | John Caldwell
1995  | July 16–20  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Marshall Hayden
1994  | July 5–8  | Orlando, Florida | Wally Rendel
1993  | July 6–9  | St. Louis, Missouri | Charles E. Cook
1992  | July 14–17  | Anaheim, California | Ken Idleman
1991  | July 9–12  | Denver, Colorado | David McCord
1990  | July 10–13  | Kansas City, Missouri | Richard D. Hogan
1989  | July 11–14  | Louisville, Kentucky | R. Allan Dunbar
1988  | July 5–8  | Cincinnati, Ohio | David Corts
1987  | July 14–17  | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Dale McCann
1986  | July 6–10  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Kenneth A. Meade
1985  | July 9–12  | Anaheim, California | Knofel Staton
1984  | July 10–13  | Atlanta, Georgia | David L. Eubanks
1983  | July 26–29  | St. Louis, Missouri | Floyd Strater
1982  | July 27–30  | Kansas City, Missouri | E. LeRoy Lawson
1981  | July 7–10  | Louisville, Kentucky | Calvin L. Phillips
1980  | July 8–11  | Seattle, Washington | Dennis R. Fulton
1979  | July 24–27  | St. Louis, Missouri | Robert C. Shannon
1978  | July 11–14  | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Ben Merold
1977  | July 5–8  | Cincinnati, Ohio | Wayne B. Smith
1976  | July 6–9  | Denver, Colorado | E. Ray Jones
1975  | July 8–11  | Detroit, Michigan | Russell F. Blowers
1974  | July 23–26  | Anaheim, California | Thomas W. Overton
1973  | July 10–13  | Indianapolis, Indiana | W. F. Lown
1972  | July 11–14  | Cincinnati, Ohio | E. Richard Crabtree
1971  | July 6–9  | Dallas, Texas | Marshall J. Leggett
1970  | July 7–10  | St. Louis, Missouri | William S. Boice
1969  | July 8–11  | Detroit, Michigan | Douglas A.Dickey
1968  | July 9–12  | Cincinnati, Ohio | Burris Butler
1967  | June 28 – July 2  | Tampa, Florida | L. Palmer Young
1966  | June 28 – July 1  | Louisville, Kentucky | Hugh F. Sensibaugh
1965  | June 22–25  | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Russell L. Martin
1964  | July 7–10  | St. Louis, Missouri | Leon H. Appel
1963  | June 26–30  | Long Beach, California | E. H. Chamberlain
1962  | June 26–29  | Lexington, Kentucky | Wm. Harold Hockley
1961  | April 20–23  | Wichita, Kansas | Robert O. Weaver
1960  | July 12–15  | Columbus, Ohio | Edwin G. Crouch
1959  | June 24–28  | Atlanta, Georgia | Olin W. Hay
1958  | July 9–13  | Portland, Oregon | Reuben L. Anderson
1957  | May 1–5  | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Lester H. Ford
1956  | May 8–11  | Louisville, Kentucky | Harold W. Scott
1955  | Apr 25 – May 1  | Indianapolis, Indiana | James Van Buren
1954  | June 23–27  | Long Beach, California | Francis M. Arant
1953  | April 22–26  | Canton, Ohio | Harry Poll
1952  | April 30 – May 4  | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Ernest E. Laughlin
1951  | April 25–29  | Springfield, Illinois | Joseph H. Dampier
1950  | April 26–30  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Ard Hoven
1948  | April 21–25  | Springfield, Illinois | Orval Morgan
1946  | May 8–12  | Indianapolis, Indiana | William E. Sweeney
1942  | October 14–18  | Indianapolis, Indiana | Dean E. Walker
1940  | October 9–13  | Indianapolis, Indiana | P.H. Welshimer
1937  | April 21–25  | Springfield, Illinois | T. K. Smith
1933  | June 21–25  | Springfield, Illinois | O. A. Trinkle
1931  | June 17–21  | Lexington, Kentucky | J. E. Henshaw
1929  | October 9–14  | Canton, Ohio | P. H. Welshimer
1928  | October 10–14  | Kansas City, Missouri | Wallace Tharp
1927  | October 12–16  | Indianapolis, Indiana | P.H. Welshimer

[11]

### Volunteers

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The President, Vice President, Committee members, and Board members (who had a great part in planning this event) were all volunteers. The Tech teams, teachers of the different workshops, people who watch the kids during the sessions and behind the scenes people are all volunteers. Most of them dedicated one week every summer to attend this event and were volunteers at it. Without the help of volunteers this event would not have been as large and effective as it was.[10]

## Location

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In 1927 the NACC had its first annual summer event in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then it was held in 20 other cities across the United States. It was usually held in the Midwest as approximately 85% of the New Testament Churches are in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. The average attendance was 8,000–12,000 for an average of three and a half nights. When the location was moved outside of the Midwest, attendance dropped as much as 50%.[9]

## Support and partnership

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Churches and Christian organizations from all across the United States funded the NACC. The supporting churches helped the NACC reach out to people all over the world who come to the event. Donations ranged from $200 a year to more than $30,000 a year. Supporting churches included Discover Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio and Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia. The NACC also partnered with many Christian colleges such as Atlanta Christian College and Cincinnati Christian University, and other organizations like Good News Production International and CMF International. The NACC raised money and support for the program by holding an exhibition every year.[12]

## Exhibition

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The exhibition allowed for hundreds of organizations such as churches, radio stations, colleges and other Christian organization to set up booths during the event and share what their school or program had to offer.

## References

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1. ^ Edwin V. Hayden (1989). North American Gold: The Story of 50 North American Christian Conventions. College Press Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8990-0376-4.
2. ^ "About Spire Network". Spire Network. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
3. ^ "Adult Program | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. ^ "Home | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on August 7, 2009.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
5. ^ "Student Convention | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
6. ^ "Children's Convention | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
7. ^ "Enom Status".
8. ^ "Highlights | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on October 17, 2009.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
9. ^ a b Diane Albrecht Executive Administrator Assistant & Program Manager at the NACC office in Cincinnati, Ohio
10. ^ a b Vocational interview with former committee member Dr. Ruth Reyes
11. ^ "Past & Future Events". North American Christian Convention. Archived from the original on April 27, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
12. ^ "Supporting Churches | Goto NACC". Archived from the original on January 21, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

## External links

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* North American Christian Convention website[usurped]
* Bible Bowl